Surprisingly, Former Real Madrid Player Fabio Coentrao Was Banned From Playing Even Though He Has Retired

Former Real Madrid player Fabio Coentrao. (Photo: Instagram @fabio_coentrao)

JAKARTA - Former Real Madrid player, Fabio Coentrao has been banned from playing one match. However, what is surprising is that the sanction was imposed after the player decided to retire about 12 months ago.

The sentence was handed down by the Portuguese Football Federation after an investigation into the incidents in the match between Boavista and Rio Ave on April 10, 2021. In that match, a player from each team was shown a red card.

In addition, a member of the Boavista coaching staff was also sent off by the referee at that time.

As reported by A Bola, Coentrao was found guilty of inappropriate behavior. He was not only sentenced to a ban from playing but also a fine of 850 euros, equivalent to IDR 12.9 million.

"The circumstances that an athlete of a certain sport has retired (retired) does not exclude his possible disciplinary responsibility for the disciplinary offenses he has committed during his time as a player," the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.

The match between Boavista and Rio Ave ended in a 3-3 draw. Coentrao scored the equalizer in the 94th minute for Rio Ave.

Coentrao retired from professional football at the end of the 2020/21 season after Rio Ave was relegated from the Primeira Liga via the play-offs.

Since retiring, Coentrao has chosen neither to be a coach nor a pundit. Instead, he switched careers to become a fisherman and followed in his father's footsteps, the player told O Jogo last year.